“To sum up my experience of walking 40km on four consecutive days with Walk the Walk is simple:- The Nijmegen Marches is a manic party which went on for four days and we walked through it! It’s an indescribable experience, the like of which I’d never imagined, let alone seen before.
So why did I decide to take part? I had done the Moonwalk London 14 times, before extending my distance with the Thames Path 100 km Challenge. I became interested in longer walks and started doing 100km ultra challenges in the UK, before thinking about challenges abroad. I’m so glad I did The Moonwalk Iceland and the Camino 100 (also with Walk the Walk), both in 2023. The joint sponsorship target was challenging and I vowed not to do two of these challenges in the same year again. That plan didn’t last long, but I’ve learnt that if you want to do something you should go for it!
Janet (far right) with the Walk the Walk team
Whilst preparing for Iceland I learned about the Nijmegen Marches and the fact that Walk the Walk participated with a team each year. I did a little research and in my usual impulsive manner, booked a place as soon as the challenge opened. I knew that, although I hadn’t met the team, they would be like-minded slightly crazy individuals. It sounded like fun, a chance to stretch myself in terms of distance and timing and to fundraise whilst enjoying myself.
The Nijmegen Marches did not disappoint, from the moment I arrived at our Centre Parcs Hotel – and our first team photo wearing Walk the Walk’s trademark decorated bras – to the minute I got back on the plane at Schiphol Airport, I enjoyed every moment. I’m not saying there were no frustrating situations, swearwords or emotional moments, especially when we were tired from walking all day, but the team were great in supporting each other. I’m used to walking solo, but on this challenge, we walked as a team.
I must admit to not following the training programme too rigidly as I had several other distance walks leading up to Nijmegen, along with doing my regular exercise classes. I continued hill training and distance walking and more specifically trained to increase my walking speed. I was concerned about the pace walking in a team, as I train alone and my other events are based on distance rather than speed. I was reassured at the pre-challenge team meetings that this event was more about endurance and continuing to move forward, rather than speed and this proved to be the case.
In terms of fundraising, this was my second year doing a multi fundraiser. I listed all my challenges for this year (ten live and two Virtual) on my fundraising page and used social media to keep reminding friends and family, stressing that Nijmegen was totally different from my usual walks! During all my challenges, I share loads of pictures on social media, always with a link to my fundraising page.
The event itself was amazing.
I’d never experienced anything like it – the sheer volume of walkers and their common aim was incredible. Each day we took a different circular route, going out through the city of Nijmegen, into a different area of the beautiful lush and green countryside. Walking along the roads and smaller trails, we were part of a long snake of people, visible as far as the eye could see.
We had a briefing each morning about the distance, the weather and temperature and timings for return to the hotel. I soon got to know my essentials to pack for the day and always had sunscreen, my sun hat, plenty of water with rehydration tablets, spare tape for my feet and a change of socks. We also carried snacks and our breakfast as we left our hotel at 03.45, too early to eat! Believe me, it was worth the early start to avoid some of the heat of the day, but also to experience the amazing sunrises.
I was really lucky that I didn’t suffer from blisters or other injuries. I always tape my problem areas and wear double layered socks, which I change if my feet get wet. Taping the heels and balls of my feet each morning became my go to preventative measures and it worked.
We walked in a two-by-two formation with a front and back marker.
The pace was flexible so that everyone could keep up – I learned a lot about true teamwork as we walked through the streets and countryside. We swapped stories and found out about each other and when the marching songs started, it gave us a lift. Walking to a steady rhythm was easy and it didn’t take long to learn the words. We all joined in readily and it didn’t matter if you had a great singing voice. We heard the Military and Police singing their songs as they marched and when were close enough, we interacted with them, joining in the choruses. We got into a routine and started to have fun.
Music played at every corner of every street, to support and encourage us walkers.
One upbeat tune would fade into the background as we passed by and another took over, sometimes merging into an unrecognisable sound, always with a good beat. On the quieter sections, we sang to keep the momentum going. It’s difficult to dawdle when you’re singing a marching song! We were surrounded by spectators offering us loads of goodies to eat as we went through villages or populated areas. Sweets, pretzels, crisps, and other savoury items along with chopped vegetables and drinks. This was a food fest of chaotic proportions.
I still can’t believe the number of people who came out every day. In the populated areas, there was a sea of faces, standing four or five deep along the road. Every second person was offering a treat, with children of all ages wanting us to take a sweet from them or give them a high-five. Decorations and bunting hung all over the place – even a windmill had flags from all nations slung between its sails.
The atmosphere was electric…
especially as we neared the Wedren (the start/finish area in Nijmegen) at the end of each day, for our celebration of beer and chips, consumed to the sound of the Oompa band and walkers’ celebrations. On day four, at around three miles from the end, we collected our individual medals in a ceremony with Walk the Walk’s Sam and Guy. It was an emotional moment receiving my medal and knowing what we’d achieved.
The last section on the final day took us through the so-called “Via Gladioli” into Nijmegen one last time. The crowd increased in number, clapping, and cheering us on, while bands continued to play. Walkers all around us were accepting celebratory Gladioli stems from family and friends. As we walked, we continued to sing, dance and high-five everyone, making our way through the street party, like honoured guests. At one point, we walked through a gladioli arch held up by the crowd and the chaos continued. I thought the entire walk had been a four-day manic party, but the final day was really off the scale.
Walking 40km every day for four days isn’t an easy task and it didn’t take long to realise my thoughts of exploring the area, or using the pool at our hotel were a little ambitious. The Marches is all about walking and getting the job done – walk, sleep, eat, repeat – anything else is a bonus. That said, walking through the unique party atmosphere every day, while interacting with the other walkers and spectators, is such a great experience that nothing else is needed. It’s so worth it, for the sense of achievement at the end of four long days partying in the street.
I don’t really need an excuse to return to Nijmegen, but our final day’s distance was unexpectedly reduced due to high temperatures, so I now need to go back to complete four full 40km days. I know I’ll be returning to walk with a great team, at the same time as experiencing the unique atmosphere and camaraderie of the four-day-party that is the Nijmegen Marches once again”.
Thank you for sharing your story Janet and we look forward to seeing you at The Nijmegen Marches again soon!